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Bass, Wallace introduce 10th annual NASCAR Day

Fans from all over flocked to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., this weekend as the sport officially kicked off the 2013 race season during NASCAR Acceleration Weekend. One of the many anticipated events taking place in Uptown Charlotte was a special appearance by NASCAR's first officially licensed artist, Sam Bass.

“It was a lot of fun to do this,” Bass said. “It’s always a big honor to design anything for NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation is something I really believe in as well. They do a lot of good work and support a lot of good causes.”

Bass unveiled the 2013 NASCAR Day pin with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. The 10th annual NASCAR Day is scheduled for May 17, and this is the second time Bass has been asked to design the pin that signifies NASCAR's day of giving back. Proceeds from sales of the pins will go toward the NASCAR Unites initiative and the NASCAR Foundation.

"Everybody knows that the NASCAR Foundation is something very, very near and dear to my heart."

“I’ve had the good fortune to design and work with Rusty from 1990 to 2005,” Bass said.

The artist was also in attendance for Friday night’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, at which Wallace was honored, along with Leonard Wood, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas and Buck Baker.

“It was a big night,” said Wallace. “I looked out in that audience and saw so many people I haven’t seen in a long time, some huge names, some real icons of the sport and it was real moving. It was something that I’ve never experienced in my life.”

Wallace has been a key benefactor of the NASCAR Foundation during his career, recently raising nearly $17,000 to support children.

“Everybody knows that the NASCAR Foundation is something very, very near and dear to my heart,” said the 2013 Hall of Famer.

NASCAR Day will be held on the same day as the NC Education Lottery 200 Camping World Truck Series race. Series driver Dakoda Armstrong will be one of the lucky few to be racing on NASCAR Day, something the 21-year-old driver knows is an honor.

“It’s very cool (to race on NASCAR Day) and for it to be the 10th celebration is even cooler. I’m very happy and privileged to do what I do,” said Armstrong. “There’s been so much with switching up stuff (for me) and new teams, everything just came together and so hopefully everyone will come out and support the NASCAR Foundation and buy their pins.”

Armstrong will be running the full 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Turn One Racing in an alliance with Richard Childress Racing. He'll also be behind the wheel of the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro in a limited Nationwide Series schedule.

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